[WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN] In New York to promote Manchester United's summer tour of North America, United manager Alex Ferguson gave a neutral's assessment of the USA-England World Cup match -- as neutral an assessment one can get from a Scotsman ...

Ferguson said the USA will face a very difficult time in the June 12 opener in Rustenburg.

“It’s a hard game to start with because England are very, very motivated under [Fabio] Capello," he said. "Capello is a really outstanding coach.”

Ferguson is nonetheless high on the USA, which after opening against England faces Slovenia and Algeria.

“If they can survive after that," he added, "they stand a very, very good chance of qualifying. In fact, I think they will qualify.”

Ferguson likes U.S. attackers Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey, who both played in the Premier League this past season.